Millers win at Don Valley

Adam Le Fondre scored the first goal in today`s win over his old club, Rochdale, at Don Valley this afternoon.

The first thing that was noticeable was the two-toned pitch after the U2 concert on Thursday as the teams entered the arena. It was the Millers who went close early on when Paul Warne had a shot saved in the fifth minute followed shortly after by a Tom Pope header that went just wide. Dale`s first shot was on thirty-five minutes when Will Buckley caught the Millers defence napping with a ball through that Chris Dagnall couldn`t quite get to. Just after that, at the other end, Kenny Arthur made a save from Pablo Mills while a cross from Warne was cleared by Jason Kennedy. Le Fondre`s goal came five minutes before half-time when an unfair challenge by Nathan Stanton on Warne gave away a free kick and saw the defender get a yellow card. Nicky Law`s kick found Le Fondre`s head in a crowded goalmouth and he, in turn, found the back of the net to get his second goal in two games for his new club. However, the Millers` joy was short lived when, in time added on, a through ball from Gary Jones found Dagnall whose shot was parried by Andy Warrington only for the striker to pounce again and squeeze the ball past the Millers ‘keeper.

The second half started a bit scrappy although Warrington was relieved to see a Chris O`Grady ball evade Dagnall and go harmlessly wide. The next twenty minutes was full of stops and starts and moans from the home fans as the referee`s assistants seemed to be forever flagging for off sides. It was on the hour mark that Tom Pope sent Paul Warne on his way and the veteran striker stuck the ball past Arthur into the corner of the net for the Millers second goal. Dale nearly got back into the game straight away when Dagnall left everyone behind and had a shot at goal which Warrington managed to push away to safety. The last few minutes was all Rochdale as Rundle fired over from ten yards out and Warrington made a brave save from O`Grady.

The Millers are up to fifth this evening after getting the three points today – and, if we`d taken all our chances, could well have been further up on goal average